Small Space Living with Vintage: Welcome to Our Petite Home

I’ve always fancied the art of arranging things - furniture, objects, artwork - and I keep reiterating them until I know in my gut that it’s good. It feels like this is how those pieces belong and balance with each other in the room.

In my childhood years, our apartment in Dubai and single-family home in India were my initial canvases that led me down a career path of interior design. I have my parents to thank for that - the freedom of design expression in our home, exploring home furnishing stores together, and exposure to the cultures of the Middle East and India.

/ my favorite view of the primary bedroom from our first rental

Fast forward to the present, our growing little family - my partner, our baby girl and a little furry cat, are nestled in a small but charming space in Austin, Texas. Our home is a reflection of everything I love—vintage finds, personal stories, thrifted treasures, and a commitment to slow, intentional living. 

// ...accept whatever limitations you are presented with and still, weave your story through your sacred space.

So you ask, how is this blog any different from the gazillion ones out there already? Well for one, it’s a corporate-managed rental apartment which really squeezes the wiggle room of aesthetic freedom you otherwise might possibly have. So I guess no painting walls or fixture swaps for me, at least in the near future. A peel-and-stick wallpaper maybe? Two, I work with a pretty tight budget which really does help in curating our space with intentionality and thoughtfulness. And three, a small space with a square footage of just about 1000 sq ft  means mindful arrangements for easy flow without it feeling overly stuffy. These challenges make the process all the more exciting and I hope that would encourage you as well to accept whatever limitations you are presented with and still, weave your story through your sacred space.

our home and design philosophy

Living in a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing style, comfort, or personality. Yes, the boring millennial beige is a downer.  But in fact, it’s the perfect opportunity to curate a home that feels intentional, beautiful and uniquely yours. Here at Our Petite Home, we embrace mixing vintage pieces along with the modern and the art of layering which brings out the character even in the smallest spaces.

/ mixing styles: a pair of postmodern accent chairs flank the reclaimed wood cabinet

You’ll find me in my creative element as I try to strike a balance between the past and present. Mixing styles of furniture, accessories and everyday objects is one of my tools to create a home that layers beautifully and holds meaning to those who live there.

Interiors of our home hold an immensely important effect on us more than we realize; although, I’ve found it to be neglected especially if it’s a rental unit or isn’t your forever home. I hope by sharing our journey, sprinkled with some knowledge and practical tools, it makes you think a bit more about the spaces we live in and be more confident in making decisions even if it’s a temporary dwelling. Perspective switch: think portable treasures!

Furnishing a home has become a lot more expensive over these past few years. Let’s just say; I have champagne taste with a lemonade budget. This led me down the road of Facebook marketplaces and Esty vendors, and eventually navigating the world of sourcing vintage. Pre-loved pieces are often way more affordable than buying brand new furniture. Better for your wallet and the planet! They have so much character, history and unsaid stories, and the idea that we can use these pieces left behind to create new stories is something that truly excites me. From an antique wooden dresser to a set of postmodern chairs, every secondhand find has a story—and I can’t wait to share those stories with you.

going forward

Here I’ll be sharing my journey of creating a home that’s both stylish and sustainable, proving that you don’t need a big house or a big budget to have a space you love. Whether you’re a fellow vintage collector, a small-space dweller, or someone looking to bring more intentionality into your home, I hope you’ll find ideas and encouragement here. Stay tuned for upcoming posts on how to score the best vintage finds, my favorite ways to style a small space, and practical tips for slow, intentional living at home. 

And with that, welcome to our petite home!